Every now and again, a thought might cross your mind that you were born in the wrong era, your parents adopted you from Mars, or you don’t really jive well with your classmates. Unfortunately, you can’t really change most of those things. But have you ever felt that you’re living in the wrong country? Speaking the wrong language? Maybe you’re cut out for the siesta life and not the caffeine fueled hustle you’ve come to know.
Fortunately, you can choose where to study abroad.
These are the best—and worst—places to study abroad. Period.
After all, this is the age where we have the power to choose. From customized TV streaming to caramel macchiatos without the caramel and extra macchiato—you get the point. Why settle for the worst places to study abroad when you can choose a destination that fits you to a T?
There are several critical questions to ask when choosing where to study abroad. Your safety, happiness, academic potential, and more all come into play. Yet, at the end of the day, there may not be a single country alone that is the one truth and ultimate destination made for you. In fact, sometimes your perfect fit may be more of a multi-country study abroad extravaganza (more on this later).
So, there are tons of great study abroad options, but how about the not so great? Here are 10 of the worst places to study abroad that you should definitely steer clear of if you’re a certain type of person.
The worst places to study abroad If…
You’re a Morning Person
Prefer sunrise to sunset? Avoid late night party locations like Spain and Argentina.
If you’re the kind of early bird who likes to catch lots of worms in the wee hours of the morning, the thriving nocturnal cultures of Spain and Argentina may not be for you. Assuming you prefer to get a good night of sleep, early to rise means early to bed. It’s a typical custom in these Latin countries to eat dinner well into the night, usually after 8 PM. What kind of crazy person would dare thump around a host family’s house during the ungodly hour of 6 AM? Well, probably a poorly adjusted exchange student.
Best: Australia and New Zealand
If your sleeping habits are one thing you can’t give up in the name of study abroad, try looking at Australia or New Zealand. Both of these countries are home to some of the earliest risers in the world. You can continue to live your best morning life, while stocking up on a host of other cultural nuggets.
You’re a Naturally Sweaty Person
No one likes to sweat while just standing around!
Study abroad isn’t something to sweat about, but sometimes you can’t help it. Thailand is known as a tropical paradise and an oasis of mouth-watering cuisine and friendly smiles. Long story short, there are several amazing reasons to study abroad in Thailand, if you don’t mind a little humidity. Year-round temperature highs range from mid-80s to mid-90s with humidity as the cherry on top. Of course, major cities have tons of air conditioned buildings, but can the sweatiest of us survive the sticky walk?
Best: Russia
Scenes straight out of a snow globe, furry hats, and massive coats—what else would an easily overheated person dream of? The large cities of Russia, such as St. Petersburg and Moscow, are great places to spend the summer on a language immersion program, as temperatures tend to hover in the 70s. Of course, you can expect optimal, below freezing temperatures in the winter months. After all, would a ride on the Trans-Siberian Railway even be worth it without blankets of snow out the window?
You’re a Vegetarian
You can easily live a vegetarian lifestyle in Asia, but it might be a little harder in other places.
Finding traditional Portuguese food that doesn’t have fish or meat can be a struggle. After all, the country shares its entire Eastern border with the Atlantic ocean, so seafood is never in short supplies. Although vegetarianism is becoming more popular, Portugal still lags behind other European countries in the veggie-friendly department.
So what’s the deal with Japan? Despite its reputation as a foodie paradise, Japan is best described as a vegetarian paradise wrapped in a vegetarian hell. From far away, delicious miso soups, udon, ramen, dipping sauces, and tofu dishes will make any vegetarian's mouth water. Yet these foods, like a lot of Japanese cuisine, typically use dashi (fish stock) or bonito fish flakes for flavor, making Japan one of the worst places to study abroad for vegetarians.
Home of the bratwurst? Really? Well Berlin, specifically, is super veggie-friendly. Berlin is as trendy and hip as cities get, and its gastronomy scene is no exception. Despite Germany’s heritage as the sausage mecca of the world, Berlin has endless vegetarian options and a huge vegetarian and vegan community to boot.
You Need a Daily Dose of Nature
Skip the urbanscapes of major cities in lieu of something a tad greener.
In theory, any large city would join the worst places to study abroad for the Snow Whites and tree huggers among us. The megacities of China are no exception. Shanghai has some of the least amount of public green spaces in the world, meaning you’ll be hard pressed to find a shady park to lay in while wandering the concrete jungle of lights. On the plus side, you’ll never run out of people to practice your Mandarin with when studying abroad in Shanghai.
Best: New Zealand or Costa Rica
If you want your study abroad experience to be as close to an outdoor adventure as possible, New Zealand is the way to go. With Lord of the Rings landscapes and hiking paths at every turn, what more can your wild heart desire?
You’re Hyper-Competitive
A little competition never hurt anyone, right…?
Worst: Italy
For starters, Mediterranean countries like Spain, Greece, and Italy are known for their sunny beaches and laid-back lifestyles. Not only do Italians like to take their time (complicated bureaucracy may also be to blame) during meals and business, they also seem to take it pretty easy in university. A study found that university graduates in Italy lag behind other countries in skill sets and employment competitiveness, but at least they get to savor meals a whole lot more.
Best: South Korea
Students up for an academic challenge will certainly meet their match in the universities of South Korea. Students here have been groomed since infancy to dominate in schools like their lives depends on it (because it largely does). If you’re looking for a particularly competitive environment, try studying abroad in one of the three most prestigious Korean universities: Korea University, Yonsei University, and Seoul National University
Your (or Your Parents’) Priority is Safety
Some destinations are safer for study abroad than others…
Worst: Brazil
Stuff inevitably happens around the world, whether it’s in your own backyard or halfway up Mt.Everest. However, when it comes to public safety and general peace of mind for you and your family, Brazil may not be the top of your list. Pickpocketing is common, and women especially may want to avoid being out and about in the cities alone and at night. If your heart is dead-set on studying abroad in Brazil, check out a highly organized program!
Best: Japan
Safety is just one of many stellar reasons to study abroad in Japan! In both cities and rural areas, it’s a common sight to see even kindergarten students take the train alone to school. With an incredibly low crime rate, Japan is a prime location for late-night walks and single female travels to feel safe out in public. You’ll find small police stations scattered throughout cities as well, which means you’ll never be far from someone who can help if need be.
You’re Ballin’ on a Budget
Sorry, UK. Those price tags can be unforgiving for student budgets!
Worst: England
From its rich history of scholars to the grand halls of Cambridge and Oxford, it’s no wonder students from around the world are drawn to to study in England. But with the posh image and royal treatment comes a slightly higher price tag. London specifically is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and the Pound Sterling to U.S. Dollar exchange rate doesn’t do many favors for American travels either. However, budgeting while studying abroad in London is definitely still possible as long as you play your cards right!
While the average cost to study abroad fluctuates from program provider and country, your total cost will largely depend on the cost of living in each destination. The cheapest places to study abroad often boast juicy low rents, cheap bites, and affordable transportation costs. This makes many Eastern European and Latin American countries like Hungary and Peru some amazing picks for cost-savvy study abroad students!
You Get Bored Easily
The yawn is real.
Worst: A single country
While studying abroad in the tiny countries of Europe makes it a breeze to travel to other European countries on a budget, getting around in other continents isn’t as simple. Some countries in South America, for example, may not have an elaborate public transportation system. So, popping into other cities and corners of your host country may get pretty tricky unless you’re willing to invest a hefty sum. For those who can’t stay in one place for too long, studying abroad in a single country may not be ideal.
Best: Multi-city
A great solution for the itchy feet travelers out there is a multi-city or multi-country study abroad program. The reasons to choose a multi-city study abroad program may include wanting to get more (visual) bang for your buck or meeting as many people as you can. In any case, you’re guaranteed a constant change of scenery without having to navigate the logistics yourself.
Wherever you choose, studying abroad is never a bad decision!
What country are you *leaning* towards?
Ultimately, your study abroad experience hinges on a whole lot of factors, not just destination. More often than not, you’ll find yourself remembering the amazing people you meet on your journey more than anything else. Wherever you do study abroad, remember that your experience will be what you make of it! There are really no worst places to study abroad, since you get to write your own study abroad story.
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